Different effects of prostaglandin E1, E2 and D2 on pancreatic somatostatin release

The effects of PGE1, PGE2 and PGD2 on somatostatin, insulin and glucagon secretions were investigated at various glucose concentrations using the isolated perfused rat pancreas. At glucose concentrations varying from 0 to 16.7 mM, PGE1 and PGE2 enhanced somatostatin release in a glucose dose-dependent manner. PGE1 did not significantly stimulate insulin secretion at glucose concentrations of 4.4 mM or less, but did at glucose concentrations of 8.8 mM or more, PGE2 augmented insulin release at 4.4 and 16.7 mM glucose, but not in the absence of glucose. Glucagon release was induced by PGE1 and PGE2 in a biphasic pattern with the maximal response in the absence of glucose. Like PGE1 and PGE2, PGD2 stimulated insulin and glucagon release in a glucose-related fashion. PGD2, however, was not capable of stimulating somatostatin release at various glucose concentrations even in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose. In conclusion, PGE1, PGE2, and PGD2 increase insulin and glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. PGE1 and PGE2 also stimulate somatostatin release, but PGD2 has no effect on somatostatin secretion at the doses studied.